Frozen Sponzali: the ready-to-use Apulian spring onions
Spirito Contadino frozen Sponzali are fresh Apulian spring onions (Allium cepa) harvested young, with a sweet flavour and tender texture, deep-frozen at -18 °C right after harvest. Packed in a 4 kg case, ready to use straight from frozen, with no waste, ideal for focaccia, calzone, frittatas and sauces of the Apulian tradition.
What are Sponzali
The term Sponzali (or sponsali) refers to spring onions harvested before the bulb swells: elongated, young bulbs with a very sweet taste. The name comes from the Latin sponsalis (betrothal): at Apulian engagement banquets the traditional calzone with sponzali was served. Since 2015 Sponzali have been listed among Puglia's Traditional Agri-Food Products (PAT).
Origin and producer
They come from Puglia and are produced by Soc. Agr. Spirito Contadino De Palma in Cerignola, province of Foggia. Flash-freezing forms micro ice crystals that do not damage the vegetable cells, preserving the aroma, crunch and nutritional properties of the fresh product.
Organoleptic characteristics
Sweet and delicate flavour, far less pungent than mature onion; tender and juicy texture. When cooked they release a natural sweetness that makes them perfect as an aromatic base or as a star ingredient.
Uses in professional kitchens
- Apulian onion focaccia: stewed Sponzali as a filling, with olives and anchovies.
- Apulian calzone: closed pizza filled with stewed sponzali, a Good Friday classic.
- Frittatas and savoury pies: added frozen straight into the pan or baking tray.
- Sauces and aromatic bases: slowly stewed as a sweet base for first and main courses.
- Side dishes: pan-fried with extra virgin olive oil, salt and chilli.
Pairings
They pair with extra virgin olive oil, cherry tomatoes, anchovies, olives and flours for leavened doughs. Perfect together with the professional flours and tomatoes in the LAPA catalogue for authentic Apulian recipes.
Storage and use
Store at a constant -18 °C. Use straight from frozen when cooking, or thaw in the fridge at 0-4 °C, never at room temperature. Do not refreeze after thawing, so as not to compromise structure and quality.
LAPA distribution and logistics
We deliver the frozen Sponzali from our central warehouse in Embrach (Zurich) with our own refrigerated fleet at -18 °C to Zurich, Winterthur, Uster, Bern, Basel, Lucerne, St. Gallen, Schaffhausen and the canton of Aargau. For Ticino, French-speaking Switzerland, Valais, Jura, Neuchâtel and Graubünden we ship within 24-48 hours with food-grade partner couriers (Swiss Post Frigo-Express, Planzer, Galliker, Camion Transport).
Who it is for
Designed for pizzerias, restaurants, delis, hotels and workshops seeking the authenticity of Apulian cuisine, as well as for private customers passionate about Italian specialities.
